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Daybreak June 12: States outline costs of SNAP compliance

06/12/26 9:19 AM By Kim Chipman, Lydia Johnson, Grace Miller, and Noah Wicks
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The costs states face in co-funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are comparable to the roughly $15 billion spent on transportation in fiscal 2025, the National Association of State Budget Officers tells Senate and House Agriculture committee leaders. USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears says 7,000 inspectors with the Food Safety Inspection Service are “leading the animal health charge” in the fight against New World screwworm, and the parasitic pest does not pose a threat to the food supply.


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Daybreak June 11: USDA using terminated food programs to fund screwworm efforts

06/11/26 9:18 AM By Kim Chipman, Lydia Johnson, Grace Miller, and Noah Wicks
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the $1.3 billion fight against a potentially deadly livestock pest includes federal funds reallocated from a local food buying program. Rollins said USDA is “stretched” on using the Commodity Credit Corporation because the $30 billion annual cap has not been increased since 1987. 


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IMAGE GALLERIES

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2026 White House Easter Egg Roll

Tens of thousands of guests visited the White House South lawn for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Hosted by First Lady Melania Trump, 40,000 eggs real American-raised, hand dyed eggs were at the event for the annual egg rolling festivities. In his remarks to the crowd, President Donald Trumps used his remarks to say the day "is about eggs" and speak about the nation's rescue mission to save a downed airman in Iran. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to walk through numerous displays, including the American Egg Board's Hen to Home booth featuring the production cycle from soybean feed to freshly hatched baby chicks. 150 chicks hatched in Georgia on Good Friday and were meeting attendees in the booth. The International Fresh Produce Association also had a display featuring an American flag designed with fresh produce, as well as fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables for attendees to take home. 

Photos are taken by Agri-Pulse unless otherwise noted. 

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Photos: Minnesota honey producer's beehives

Beekeepers across the U.S. are struggling to keep their colonies alive as their insects face a number of threats, including mites that are increasingly becoming resistant to longstanding treatments. Minnesota honey producers Wes and Jeff Hull have seen their death rates climb to nearly 60% in recent years. 

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Photos: Grain inspection at the Port of Duluth-Superior

Changing Great Lakes shipping flows have led to a decline in inspection fees paid by shippers, making it challenging for the state of Wisconsin to keep its inspection program going. Other states have experienced similar challenges. 

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Photos: 2025 Bipartisan Inaugural Ag Ball

Nearly 1,500 aggies gathered Monday, Jan. 20, for the 2025 Bipartisan Inaugural Ball Celebrating American Agriculture. Known as the "farm prom," attendees heard from members of congress, trade associations and industry leaders at the Grand Hyatt in Washington D.C. on the night of President Donald Trump's inauguration. For entertainment, guests even listened to former House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson play guitar. 

The Agri-Pulse team compiled an album of snapshots from the event including some familiar faces, speakers, members of Congress and special guests.